EX-SOLDIER SETTLERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1922, Page 7

EX-SOLDIER SETTLERS.

THE COLLECTION OF RATES. CONSIDERATION NEXT SESSION. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Feb. 9. In view o-f the difficulty experienced by the Wairoa County Council and other local authorities in collecting soldiers’ rates, Mr. W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne) today suggested to the Prime Minister that the Government subsidy should be paid on all rates levied (irrespective of whether they had all been collected by June 30) or that the time for payment of the subsidy should be extended beyond June 30, which is the final date at present. He explained that the counties diil not wish to press the soldiers too hardly, but that under the Appropriation Act of 1916 no subsidy could be claimed unless the rates were paid by the date he had given. He recognised that it was jtoo late to introduce legislation on the subject this session, but he hoped that the Prime Minister would give a promise of legislation next session. Such legislation could be passed in time to give relief, as Parliament would probably be sitting again before June 30.

The Prime Minister agreed that it was almost impossible to bring down legislation on such a difficult matter so late in the present session. He had, however, every sympathy with Mr. Lysnar’s object in asking for a Bill. He would have the question considered and a Bill submitted early next session if possible. Mr. E. H. Campbell (Hawke’s Bay) thought that county councils should have the power to forego rates if they desired to do so. The Prime Minister promised that this suggestion also would be considered.